WHAT IS NETBALL? HISTORY, ORIGIN, AND RULES OF THE FAST-PACED GAME

If you are wondering what netball is and why it has taken the world of sports by storm in recent years, then you are at the right place to get all the answers. Netball is a sport that has gained popularity in recent years and has become increasingly inclusive, with both men and women playing at competitive levels.

This dynamic and fast-paced game requires a combination of physical and mental skills, including speed, agility, teamwork, and strategy. Netball has evolved from a women’s sport to a game played by people of all ages and genders, making it a truly inclusive sport.

Netball aims to keep or gain possession of the ball and score goals by shooting the ball through the opposing team’s hoop. The game is played on a rectangular court with two teams of seven players each. The players are restricted to certain areas of the court based on their position, and the game requires a high level of coordination and communication between teammates.

The game is similar to basketball but has some distinct differences. In this article, we will glance at the history of netball, players’ positions, and the rules of the sport in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF NETBALL

Netball, a popular team sport primarily played by women, has a rich history that dates back to its origins in England in 1895. Madame Ostenburg’s College is credited with hosting the first game of netball, marking the beginning of its journey. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, netball’s popularity grew steadily, spreading to various British Commonwealth countries. During this period, no standardized rules resulted in nine-a-side and five-a-side versions of the game.

In 1995, netball achieved recognition as a sport by the Champions International Olympic Committee. One of the main goals of the Federation governing netball is to maintain this status and advocate for netball’s inclusion in the future Olympic Games Programme. While netball has yet to be included in the Olympics, it has gained significant recognition in the Commonwealth Games.

Netball debuted in the Commonwealth Games 1998, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Australia clinched the Gold medal. The sport was also featured in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, once again, with Australia securing the Gold medal. Since then, netball has become a core sport in the Commonwealth Games.

Besides its presence in the Commonwealth Games, netball has its global tournament, the Netball World Cup. The tournament has been held every four years since 1963, showcasing the best teams from around the world competing for the championship, and the latest edition will take place this year. Netball South Africa won the bid to host the 2023 Netball World Cup, which will take place in Cape Town from 28 July 2023 to 6 August 2023.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIONS IN NETBALL?

There are seven playing positions in the game of netball. They each have different responsibilities and are allowed in different court areas.

CENTRE (C) – The position of Centre (C) grants players the freedom to navigate all court areas except for the two semi-circles. The primary responsibility of a Centre is to facilitate the smooth transition of the ball from their team’s defensive area to the opposing goal while also intercepting the opposition’s advances to prevent them from entering the defending area. The Centre’s role demands essential skills such as speed and endurance, as they are typically involved in the most running throughout the game.

GOAL SHOOTER (GS): The goal Shooter (GS) ‘s position centres around scoring points by successfully shooting the ball into the net. Goal shooters are exclusively confined to their team’s attacking third of the court, which includes the semi-circle. To excel in their role, goal shooters must possess exceptional aim and employ agile footwork to outmanoeuvre their defenders. Accurate shooting skills and quick footwork are crucial for goal shooters to outwit their opponents and contribute to their team’s scoring efforts.

GOAL ATTACK (GA) – The position of Goal Attack permits players to operate within their team’s attacking third and the center third of the netball court. Their primary role involves assisting the Goal Shooter (GS) in scoring points and being ready to catch any rebounded balls that miss the net. A Goal Attack typically possesses remarkable speed and employs strategic tactics to ensure efficient ball delivery to the shooter, taking advantage of opportunities to create scoring opportunities.

WING ATTACK (WA) – The Wing Attack (WA) position allows players to participate in the center third and their team’s attacking third, excluding the semi-circle. WAs play a vital role in supporting the Goal Attack (GA) by facilitating ball delivery to the shooter and actively positioning themselves to receive passes that contribute to the shooter’s optimal positioning. Quick reaction times and exceptional speed are common attributes of Wing Attacks, enabling them to swiftly adapt to game situations and contribute to the team’s offensive maneuvers.

WING DEFENCE (WD) – Wing Defence (WD) is a defensive player primarily impeding the ball’s progress into their team’s defending third. They are allowed in their opposition’s attacking third, with the exception of the semi-circle and the center third. WDs rely on their agility and quick footwork to closely shadow and intercept passes intended for the opposing Wing Attack, aiming to disrupt the flow of the opposing team’s netball strategies.

GOAL DEFENCE (GD) – Goal Defence (GD) is permitted in their opponent’s attacking third, including the semi-circle and the center third of the court. Their primary objective revolves around intercepting the ball before it reaches the opposition’s Goal Attack (GA) and Goal Shooter (GS). Additionally, GDs endeavor to catch any rebounded balls that miss the net. A successful GD exhibits stamina and proficient defensive skills, applying effective strategies to hinder the opposing team’s scoring attempts.

GOALKEEPER (GK) – The Goal Keeper (GK), often the team’s tallest member, operates solely within their opponent’s attacking third. Their primary responsibility entails defending the net and preventing the opposing team from scoring points. A proficient GK exhibits commendable balance skills, stretching to mark the Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) while maintaining an appropriate distance from them. A successful GK combines defensive prowess with strategic positioning to frustrate the opposition’s scoring.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OF NETBALL?

Read on to discover eight basic rules of netball.

• You cannot travel (move) with the ball.
• There are only seven players on the court from each team at all times unless the referee has sent off a player.
• You cannot snatch or hit the ball out of a player’s hands. This is called contact. If you do, the referee will ask you to stand beside the player until the ball has left the player’s hands. This is called a ‘free pass.’
• When defending the ball, you must stand 3 feet away from the person with the ball.
• Players cannot hold the ball for more than 3 seconds.
• Players are not allowed to move into areas other than the ones their position is designated to.
• When the referee calls up the defenses in the circle for being too close or in contact, they must stand beside the shooter. The shooter is then allowed to either shoot or pass the ball.
• When the ball goes out of court, the team who last touched the ball hands the ball over to the opposing team. They have 3 seconds to stand outside the court at the line where it went out and pass the ball.

GAMEPLAY AND OBJECTIVES

The sport aims for each team to manoeuvre the ball into their opponent’s goal circle while adhering to the restrictions on player movement, akin to a chess match on a court.

This involves a combination of team strategies, scoring techniques, and individual player skills. Players must work together to outmanoeuvre their opponents, utilizing quick passes, strategic movements, and effective communication.

Scoring in netball is achieved by shooting the ball through the goal ring, which is located inside each team’s goal circle. The team with the highest number of goals at the end of the game is declared the winner.

To score, players must be within the designated shooting area and must release the ball before stepping out. The game is fast-paced and requires players to be quick on their feet, constantly adapting to the movements of their opponents while maintaining control of the ball.

WHAT IS NETBALL –FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS